Conveying arrangement having a device for generating electric current

Abstract

A conveying arrangement includes a conveyor belt having a carrying-side cover plate and a running-side cover plate. The conveying arrangement further includes a drive drum, a reversing drum, carrying rollers and a carrying structure. The conveying arrangement forms a material-conveying upper strand (A) with a charging location for the conveyed goods and a lower strand (B). A device for generating current is provided at the charging location for the conveyed goods underneath the conveyor belt of the upper strand (A). The device includes an impact bearing having sliding properties for the running-side cover plate of the conveyor belt of the upper strand (A). A generator is operatively connected to the impact bearing and a supporting device is provided for the generator. The generator converts at least part of the impact energy of the conveyed goods into electric current.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A conveyor arrangement comprising:
 a conveyor belt having a carrying-side cover plate for receiving goods to be conveyed thereon and a running-side cover plate; 
 each of said cover plates being made of a polymer material having elastomeric characteristics; 
 a drive drum for imparting movement to said conveyor belt; 
 a reversing drum for directing said conveyor belt back to said drive drum; 
 said conveyor belt having a goods carrying upper strand (A) leaving said drive drum and a mostly goods free lower strand (B) moving onto said drive drum as said conveyor belt moves over said drive drum and said reversing drum; 
 a discharge location above said upper strand (A) whereat said goods are charged onto said upper strand (A); 
 a device for generating current provided at said discharge location below said upper strand (A); 
 said device including an impact bearing which generates impact energy in response to the impact of said goods charged onto said upper strand (A); 
 said impact bearing and said running-side cover plate conjointly defining a contact interface whereat said impact bearing has sliding characteristics; 
 said device further including at least one generator operatively connected to said impact bearing causing said generator to convert at least a portion of said impact energy into a current; and, 
 a support structure for supporting said generator. 
 
     
     
       2. The conveyor arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said impact bearing includes at least one support roller defining a support roller spindle; and, said generator is operatively connected to said spindle. 
     
     
       3. The conveyor arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein said impact bearing includes a plurality of said support rollers defining respective support roller spindles operatively connected to said generator. 
     
     
       4. The conveyor arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said impact bearing includes at least one impact damper operatively connected to said generator. 
     
     
       5. The conveyor arrangement of  claim 4 , wherein said impact bearing includes a plurality of impact dampers and a plurality of said generators operatively connected to corresponding ones of said impact dampers. 
     
     
       6. The conveyor arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said generator comprises a piezoelectric material. 
     
     
       7. The conveyor arrangement of  claim 6 , wherein said piezoelectric material is a lead-titanate, lead-zirconate or lead-titanate-zirconate. 
     
     
       8. The conveyor arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said generator is configured on an electrostrictive, magnetostrictive or electrostatic basis.